Type casting machine



March 1, 1938. c. A. MACOMIC TYPE CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 1, 1938. 'c. A. MACOMIC TYPE CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1955 4 She'ets-Sheet 2 March 1, 1938. c. A. MACOMIC TYPE CASTING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 15 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 1, 1938. A MAC W 2,109,494

TYPE CAS TING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES TYPE CASTING MACHINE Chester A. Macomic, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Machinery Patent and Finance Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 15, 1935, Serial No. 49,979

16 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in type casting mechanisms and is applicable, though not limited to, employment with a type casting device in which a plurality of parallel longitudinal matrix strips are movable across a matrix bed to position impressions on the various strips in line with a casting aperture or mold. Another object is the provision of means for holding said matrix strips relatively immovable in relation to each other and in relation to the mold for the casting or molding operation. Another object is to provide means for applying a transverse or side pressure to the matrix strips. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section;

Figure 2 is a detail;

Figure 3 is a detail;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a section along the line 7-1 of Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a section along the line 88 of Figure 1.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A is a matrix bed, Al a bridge or a pressure bar, having feet A-2 held by bolts A3, to the matrix bed A, the central portion A5 of the bridge containing pockets A'6 and outwardly projecting bearing sleeves A'l adjacent the pockets. Channels or grooves A--8 are provided adjacent the feet A2 for purposes which will later appear. On the opposite side of the bridge A-5 from the pockets A-G are a plurality of pockets A9, shown in Figure 7.

Longitudinally movable upon the matrix A are a plurality of matrix strips B. These matrix strips are provided, as is shown in Figure'8, with a plurality of bottom recesses Bl each containing intaglio impressions B--2, of letters, symbols or the like, and preferably each matrix strip, in case a typewriter is employed for controlling the operation, will contain in intaglio each character adapted to be written by the typewriter. The means for actuating the matrix strips do not of themselves form part of the present invention and any satisfactory means may be employed, for example, those shown in my Patent No. 1,777,268, issued on September 30, 1930, for imparting longitudinal movement to the matrix strips and for selectively positioning the strips to align the desired combination of intaglio impressions B-2 along any suitable casting line. The mechanism for moving the group of matrix strips may include the longitudinally extending racks 13-3, passing through the slots A-B, the teeth B-4, will be in mesh with a drive gear and suitable driving connection will be provided between the racks B-3 and the matrix strips B.

It is exceedingly important that when the matrices are positioned upon the casting line, there shall be no interval between the matrix strips, since it is my purpose to cast a complete slug extending clear across the matrix bed, and if intervals are left between adjacent matrix strips, fins of metal will be formed, between adjacent characters, thus destroying the usefulness of the slug.

Referring to Figure 1, the battery of matrix strips B extends beneath the transverse bridge A5. A lower surface C of the bridge A-5 serves as a limit for upward movement of the matrix strips and the parts are so proportioned that the matrix strips in their normal position either engage or approach very closely to the surface C, but with sufficient clearance to permit longitudinal movement of the strips. On both sides of the matrix bed, the bridge A5 has downwardly extending surfaces C-l, C-2, shown in Figures 1 and 5, which are spaced somewhat away from the sides of the matrix strips. In order to exert a lateral squeeze on the strips and to clamp them so closely together that when the metal slug is cast, flow of metal between strips is prevented, I provide the clamping mechanism below described. Fixed wedge members C3 with inclined surfaces C4 are mounted in the pockets A9 of the bridge A5, as shown in Figure 7. A recess C--5 receives a lug C-I on a transverse bar C-6, which bar is held by bolts C-8 to the bridge A5, thus holding the members 0-3 in fixed position. In Figures 1, 4 and 5, I show wedge members C-3 not only at each side of the battery of matrix strips, but also between adjacent strips, four in all being used. While this is under some circumstances important or helpful, I do not wish to limit myself to the use of any particular number or location of,

these wedge members, and I may employ them as shown or in a greater or less number, and I may even use but a single wedging device on oneside of the battery of matrix strips, whereby the entire battery is wedged against the fixed projections Cl or CZ on the opposite side. The wedging action, in any case, is obtained by moving longitudinally against the member C3 and inclined wedging surface C4, an opposed Wedge having an inclined surface CIB. Each member C-9 has an aligning bar Cll associated with it, which extends along the bed A adjacent to the matrix strips. CIZ is an actuating notch in the member C9 with a roof shaped floor Cl3.

The wedge actuating mechanism is as follows: D is a shaft supported in the bearings A'l; associated with each wedge member C9 is an eccentric D| keyed to the shaft D at D-Z;

D4 is a lever having a yoke D3 'enclosing' D- is a wedge actuating the eccentric Dl. lug extending into the aperture CIZ in the wedge member 0-9, it is notched to conform to the roof-shaped floor Cl3. The lever D-4 is pivoted at D-6 to a plunger D-l, slidable in the bridge A5 and thrust outwardly by the spring D-B in the pocket D--9. Dl0 is a limit pin. At one end of the shaft D is a downwardly extending lever Dl| located at one side of the battery of matrix strips, held. against rotation in relation to the shaft D and terminating closely adjacent one of the racks B3. When the rack B3 is moving in the direction of the arrow as shown in Figure 5, the side squeeze or pressure is applied as follows: The rack carries a pin or abutment D-l2, which may be mounted on a separate member D-l3 and bolted at D-M to the rack B3. Movement of the rack B3 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5 will cause a movement of the lever D-ll from the dotted line position of Figure 6 to the full line position, this movement of the lever and the consequent rotation of the shaft D being caused by its engagement with the pin D-IZ, this rotation of the shaft D also causes a rotation of the eccentric D-l and in rotating within the eye B3, causes a movement of the lever D4 from the dotted line position to the full line position of Figure 7, thus forcingthe wedge 0-9 against the wedge C3, the opposed inclined surfaces CIO and C-4 engaging. The result is a lateral compression of the matrixstrips, Which is indicated for example in the wedging action as shown in Figure 5.

On the return movement of the rack B3 when the matrix strips are to be returned to initial position for a new setting, I employ the following release mechanism: A dog E is pivoted in a recess EI in the top of the rack B--3, for rotation about a vertical axis. A spring E-Z normally urges it into the full line position in which it is shown in Figure 5. When in that full line position, it will engage the lever Dll until the lever clears the top of the dog, when it is returned to the dotted line position of Figure 6. This action is made possible by the fact that the dog is further away from the center of rotation of the lever D-I 1 than is the pin D-IZ. On the return movement, the pin D -l2 engages the lever D-ll and rocks it into position, the latch E-l2 being pressed to one side as the rack comes forward so that it does not interfere with the engagement of lever Dll and pin Dl2. The purpose of the spring D-S and plunger D'! is of course to insure that the actual. squeeze is a spring pressure. The shaft D-5 works about a fixed axis and the movement of the lever D4 results from the rotation of the eccentric, the displacement of the pivot lever D-6 against spring pressure and the movement of the member D--5 and this spring fulcrum for the lever makes it possible to compensate for Wear and for differentiation, expansion and contraction of the parts.

Figures 6 and '7 illustrate the casting line. F is the form for the slug, into which metal is projected from any suitable pot F-l. F-2 are movable jaws at the opposed edges F-5 whereby the bottom of the cast strip is formed, surplus metal being sheared ofl". F3 indicates the strip or slug. It will be understood that the overlying surface 0 is so close to the matrix strips that there is no lateral flow of metal between the matrix strips and along the face of the mold F-4. Any suitable means may be employed for moving the mold F4 slightly upwardly against the bottoms of the matrix strips, for example in response to the upward movement of the pot F--l whereby a light closure is formed, preventing the undesired lateral flow of metal.

It is essential that the wedge members C--3 and C9 be so positioned that their engaging portions will be in register with the mold as otherwise the clearance between the wedge members and the walls of adjacent matrices would provide space for the escape of the metal.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing materially from the spirit of my invention. I wish my drawings, therefore, to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to the particular details herein described and shown. It will be realized, for example, that the present method of clamping the matrix strips, while described in connection with matrix strips for a. type casting device, may be applied to a variety of situations where, for any reason, it is desired to apply lateral pressure to a plurality of adjacent members.

When one or only two of the wedge members are used, a solid slug having a continuous line of letters results. When intermediate wedge members 'are used, a series of slugs are cast together with blank spaces along their lengths. Under these circumstances, the slugs can conveniently be cut apart at the blanks to provide short slugs, as for instance, in connection with newspaper work and under some circumstances, this spacing of the squeeze action and localizing of the squeeze action along the length of slug lends itself to justification or spacing of the characters.

I claim:

1. In a type casting machine, a matrix bed, a bridge extending across the bed, an abutment projecting upwardly from the bed beneath the bridge between which the matrix members travel,

the under surface of the bridge being adjacent the upper surface of the matrix strips and adapted to guide and control them, a shaft mounted on the bridge, a fixed wedge member on the bridge extending downwardly toward the matrix bed, a movable wedge member in opposition to the fixed member and operating means controlled by the shaft for forcing the movable member toward the fixed member to exert a lateral pressure upon the matrix strips and lock them between the abutments.

2. In a type casting machine, a matrix bed, a bridge extending across the bed, an abutment projecting upwardly from the bed beneath the bridge between which the matrix members travel,

the under surface of the bridge being adjacent the upper surface of the matrix strips and adapted to guide and control them, a shaft mounted on the bridge, a fixed Wedge member on the bridge extending downwardly toward the matrix bed, a movable wedge member in opposition to the fixed member and operating means controlled by the shaft for forcing the movable member toward the fixed member to exert a lateral pressure upon the matrix strips and lock them between the abutments, at least one of the pairs of wedge members being at a point removed from the abutments and interposed between adjacent matrix strips.

3. In a type casting machine, a matrix bed, a bridge extending across the bed, an abutment projecting upwardly from the bed beneath the bridge between which the matrix members travel, the under surface of the bridge being adjacent the upper surface of the matrix strips and adapted to guide and control them, a shaft mounted on the bridge, a fixed wedge member on the bridge extending downwardly-toward the matrix bed, a movable wedge member in opposition to the fixed member and operating means controlled by the shaft for forcing the movable member toward the fixed member to exert a lateral pressure upon the matrix strips and lock them between the abutments, a lever associated with the wedge member, an eccentric member on the shaft adapted to cause rotation of the lever and a spring fulcrum for the lever.

4. In combination, a matrix bed, matrices adapted to travel thereon, a bridge extending across the bed, a fixed wedge member extending downwardly toward the bed adjacent the matrices, the wedge member being anchored on the bridge, a movable wedge member supported on the bridge slidable along the matrix bed toward the fixed wedge member, a lever adapted to propel the movable wedge member toward and from the fixed member and a loose guiding connection between the lever and the movable wedge.

5. In combination, a matrix bed, matrices adapted to travel thereon, a bridge extending across the bed, a fixed wedge member extending downwardly toward the bed adjacent the matrices, the Wedge member being anchored on the bridge, a movable wedge member supported on the bridge slidable along the matrix bed toward the fixed wedge member, a lever adapted to propel the movable wedge member toward and from the fixed member and a loose guiding connection between the lever and the movable wedge, said connection including a pocket in the wedge member, bounded at its bottom by a roof-shaped fioor and a notched lug on the lever engaging the pocket and straddling the roof-shaped floor.

6. In combination, a matrix bed, a plurality of matrices adapted to travel therealong, means for propelling them, means for constraining them to movement along said matrix bed, said matrices being at all times in contact therewith, abutments projecting from the bed between which the matrices travel, wedge means adjacent the matrices, said wedge means including a member normally fixed in relation to said matrix bed, and an opposed member movable along said matrix bed, and means operative in unison with the movement of the matrices for forcing said wedge members together to lock the m'atrices in position at the end of their excursion.

'7. In a type casting machine, a matrix bed having a slug casting aperture therein, and side abutment means, a plurality of matrix strips mounted upon and resting gravitally upon said matrix bed at all times and slidable longitudinally along saidbed' and above said slug casting aperture, said matrix strips being of constant width throughout their length, wedging means adapted to direct transverse pressure against said matrix strips, including a wedge member fixed in relation to said bed, a wedge member'movable along said bed, having a portion opposed to the fixed wedge member, and means for moving said movable wedge member longitudinally along said bed.

8. The structure of claim 7 characterized'by the employment of means, located above said bed and said matrix strips, for moving said movable wedge member.

9. The structure of claim 7 characterized by the employment of means, located above said bed and said matrix strips for moving said movable wedge member, including a shaft extending transversely above said matrix strips, and supporting means therefor, and an actuating connection between said shaft and said movable wedge member.

10. In a type casting machine, a matrix bed having a slug casting aperture therein, and side abutment means, a plurality of matrix strips mounted upon and resting upon said matrix bed and slidable longitudinally along said bed and above said slug casting aperture, said matrix strips being of constant width throughout their length, wedging means adapted to direct transverse pressure against said matrix strips, including a wedge member fixed in relation to said bed, a wedge member movable along said bed, having a portion. opposed to the fixed wedge member, and means for moving said movable wedge member longitudinally along said bed, said movable wedge member having a recess in its upper portion, said moving means including a member penetrating said recess.

11. The structure of claim 7 characterized by the employment of a bridge extending transversely across said matrix bed above said matrix strips, and means, mounted on said bridge, for moving said movable wedge member.

12. The structure of claim 7 characterized by the employment of a bridge extending transversely across said matrix bed above said matrix strips, means, mounted on said bridge, for moving said movable wedge member, including a shaft and means for rotating it, and an actuating member interposed between said shaft and said movable wedge member.

13. The structure of claim 7 characterized by the employment of a bridge extending transversely across said matrix bed above said matrix strips, and means, mounted on said bridge, for moving said movable wedge member, including a shaft and means for rotating it, and an actuating member interposed between said shaft and said movable wedge member, an upper portion of said movable wedge member being recessed to receive said actuating member.

14. The structure of claim 7 characterized by the employment of a shaft extending transversely across said matrix bed, above said matrix strips, bearing means for said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, an eccentric on said shaft, an actuating member interposed between said shaft and said movable wedge member, including an eye portion surrounding said eccentric, and an actuating connection between said actuating member and said movable wedge member.

15. The structure of claim 7 characterized by the employment of a movable wedge member the lowerface or which is plane, and lies in the plane of the bottoms of the matrix strips where the movable wedge member and the matrix strips overlie the slug casting aperture, whereby a smooth surface is opposed to said slug casting aperture.

16. In a type casting machine, a matrix bed having a slug casting aperture therein, and side abutment means, a plurality of matrix strips mounted upon and resting against said matrix bed and slidable longitudinally along said bed and across said slug casting aperture, said matrix strips being of constant width throughout their length, wedging means adapted to direct transverse pressure against said matrix strips, including a wedge member fixed in relation to said bed, a wedge member movable along said bed having a face opposed to the fixed wedge member, and means for moving said movable Wedge member longitudinally along said bed with said opposed faces in contact, the movable wedge member having a plane lower face which lies in the plane of the faces of the matrix strips, whereby a smooth surface is opposed to said slug casting aperture.

CHESTER. A. MACOMIC. 

